Urticaria from what and how to treat. How to treat allergic urticaria

What is urticaria, according to medical statistics, 20% of people had to learn from their own experience. This pathology is included in the same group of allergic diseases along with agioedema and Quincke's edema. The manifestations of these three diagnoses are similar, but the mechanisms of development are different.

Urticaria got its name because of the symptoms. It is accompanied by pink inflammations similar to those characteristic of nettle burns. Blisters can be as small as 1 mm. up to several centimeters, with pressure they turn pale. The disease proceeds with severe itching, high fever and headaches. In people predisposed to urticaria, there is a lesion of certain areas of the skin or the entire body.

According to the course of the disease, an acute or chronic form is diagnosed. The latter is often associated with serious pathologies of the liver, digestive system, and kidneys. It can develop with helminthic invasions, infections in the tonsils, gallbladder, with the decay of malignant tumors, toxicosis.

If the symptoms of urticaria occur immediately after exposure to allergens, such a disease is identified as an acute form. Its characteristic features will be a rapid, intense course of symptoms. Urticaria in acute form appears suddenly, lasts several hours, sometimes a day. Without medical intervention, the malaise lasts about 10 days. The chronic variant is characterized by the presence of a rash for several months.

Cholinergic urticaria occurs most often. Its course is accompanied by an unpleasant, obsessive itching, after which a rash appears in the form of blisters on the chest, in the neck. This can be preceded by a hot shower, heavy physical exertion, strong feelings. Urticaria from exposure to cold water is called cold. Its course is characterized by the fact that the rash does not appear immediately after exposure to water, but later.

Urticaria pigmentosa is accompanied by spots on the skin, with a red-brown tint, after scratching which, many blisters appear. Quincke's edema is called giant urticaria, characterized by a deep lesion of the skin. Its development is characterized by the formation of edema in areas with delicate skin - cheeks, eyelids, larynx, mucous membranes. The rash causes soreness and an unpleasant burning sensation.

Giant urticaria in a mild form disappears without a trace in two to three hours, or a couple of days. What can not be said about moderate and severe manifestations, with such courses of the disease, patients are hospitalized. The main thing to be wary of is swelling of the neck, mouth and larynx. They can cause suffocation.

Hereditary manifestations of Quincke's edema threaten with lesions of the digestive system. Accompanied by spasmodic pain in the stomach, nausea and colic in the intestines. The occurrence of edematous laryngitis is likely - inflammatory processes in the vocal cords and larynx. With angioedema, swelling of the tongue, lips, eyes occurs, medical attention is needed.

Causes of hives

  • Allergens that enter the body from food: fruits, seafood, nuts, eggs.
  • Medications: antibiotics, hormonal drugs, sulfonamides.
  • Airborne allergens: particles of wool, dust, pollen.
  • Infectious diseases; hepatitis B, mononucleosis.
  • Physical factors: exposure to cold, ultraviolet, pressure.

Disease development factors

Urticaria will cause less trouble if it is not treated, but prevented. In the presence of high sensitivity to allergens, it is necessary to carefully select products and test medications before use. It is important to exclude food preservatives and additives: flavor enhancers, dyes, sodium gluconate, sulfites. Be careful with peanuts, tree nuts, soy products, milk.

The list of drugs that can provoke unpleasant symptoms of the disease includes: antibiotics, sulfanilamide group drugs, analgesics. Also tranquilizers, codeine drugs, insulin, some serums, and vaccines. Aspirin in the chronic form of the disease increases the rash and itching, but does not cause symptoms of the disease on its own.

Acute urticaria can occur during treatment with blood products, the introduction of x-ray contrast agents. The impetus for the progression of angioedema, Quincke's edema can be drugs aimed at the treatment of hypertension, heart failure. Among them: prestarium, capoten, enap. To identify the medicine as an allergen, you can briefly stop taking it.

Allergy-prone people should beware of cuttings of bumblebees, wasps, bees, mosquitoes and ants. The danger of giardiasis, oscoridosis, hepatitis in chronic urticaria increases. Its relapses are frequent in chronic gastritis, stomach ulcers. Alcohol, menstrual days, severe stress - increase the symptoms of the disease.

Medical treatment

Treatment for hives includes antihistamines. You can treat it by taking: Lorotadin, Claritin, Telfast, Zirtek. Possible combinations of these drugs, a combination with antidepressants. The positive effect is complemented by cleansing enemas, the appointment of activated charcoal. Severe, health-threatening forms require inpatient treatment. Clinically, oral corticosteroids are prescribed. When chronic urticaria flares up, it can be treated effectively in specialized centers. Where there is an opportunity to establish the source of pathology.

Therapy algorithm

Treatment of diseases begins with the establishment of the cause of the allergic reaction, its elimination. It is not always possible to completely eliminate the substance that provokes pathology. With an exacerbation of the chronic form, an elimination diet is prescribed to exclude negative factors. Allergens that have entered the body are removed with cleansing enemas in a three-day period.

The diet involves the removal from the diet of all foods that can provoke allergic reactions. Among them: chicken meat, strawberries, all kinds of citrus fruits, chocolate and sweets with dyes. Also smoked products, marinades, carbonated drinks, canned food, spices.

Treatment is based on a course of taking antihistamines. It is important to identify concomitant pathologies of the body that increase the symptoms of urticaria. If it is impossible to completely eliminate the disease, it is necessary to remove its exacerbation. The work of the digestive system is rehabilitated by the appointment of vitamins: nicotinic and ascorbic acids, riboflavin, vitamin U, calcium pantothenate. Doses are selected according to the age and weight of the patient.

Chlorine is used to increase capillary tone and reduce vascular permeability.
calcium in combination with iron-containing preparations. Anabolic steroids and glucocorticoids are used to treat severe forms of urticaria. External treatment is considered to be ineffective measures. Zinc pastes, preparations with Naftalan oil, ointments with glucocorticoid hormones are used. Use the methods of physiotherapy.

With a tendency to allergies, chronic urticaria or recurrent Quincke's edema, the following rules must be observed.

  • Use warm water for washing, do not visit a hot bath, sauna, avoid ice water, touching ice, cold metal.
  • Use a mild soap, preferably fragrance-free.
  • Apply moisturizers to the body.
  • Choose clothes made from natural fabrics: linen, cotton.
  • Avoid prolonged presence in stuffy rooms.
  • Replace aspirin with other antipyretics.
  • In emotional moments, take sedatives.

An effective method for the prevention of urticaria is a periodic diet, which includes exclusively plant foods. Natural products, the elimination of fatty meat, hot spices, smoked meats, canned food and alcohol from the diet will help the body cleanse itself. This will avoid exacerbations of the disease. Medicinal plants are also considered useful for itchy skin. Actual decoctions of celery root, common yarrow, infusions of dried duckweed, nettle leaves.

Allergic urticaria is the third (in terms of the number of cases) disease in the rank of allergic ailments.

Allergic urticaria is the third (in terms of the number of cases) disease in the rank of allergic ailments. The first two places are occupied by bronchial asthma and drug allergy.

What does hives look like? What are its symptoms? A sick person is covered with a rash, the main constituent element of which is a blister - swelling with clearly defined edges. The diameter and nature of blisters with urticaria can be different: from almost colorless, indistinguishable rashes on the skin, to very large edema that rise above the surface of the skin. The name of the disease is not given by chance: the skin of a sick person looks like he got burned by the leaves and stems of nettles, making his way through its thickets. A photo.

So, what are the external signs of hives?

Characteristic signs of urticaria

  • The presence of a skin rash consisting of spots, swelling and blisters. Localization of rashes on the body can be different, depending on the type of urticaria.
  • The skin rash may be accompanied by itching. Sometimes itching is absent.
  • The rash is usually painless (unlike angioedema).
  • Usually after a few hours the rash disappears without a trace and the skin becomes clear. If, after the disappearance of rashes on the body, the skin begins to peel off or pigment spots remain on it, it is worth suggesting the presence of another disease similar to urticaria (for example, urticarial vasculitis).
  • The disease is often accompanied by Quincke's edema (angioedema). According to statistics, it occurs in 40% of patients. A photo.

Is hives contagious? Among the inhabitants there is a strong belief that urticaria is contagious. Many patients are convinced that they pose a threat to others because they can infect them with their illness. Such a fear has not the slightest foundation. Urticaria (by itself) is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.

But if some infectious disease caused urticaria, then it is it that can become contagious. If a concomitant infectious disease is detected, the task is to get rid of it in the first place.

Mechanism of occurrence of allergic urticaria

Many patients ask themselves: “Where does urticaria come from? What is the cause of the disease?

The cause of the development of allergic urticaria is an immediate type of hypersensitivity resulting from an inadequate response of the body to the intake of certain substances. These substances can enter the body from the outside, and may be the result of the vital activity of microbes and bacteria.

In response, the body triggers the mechanism of edema formation. It happens like this: in excess, the production of histamine and other biologically active substances that provoke inflammation begins. This process leads to increased permeability of the capillary walls. As a result, fluid from the blood flows into nearby tissues. This is how an allergic reaction develops: swelling on the skin. It is necessary to reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the body.

Causes of acute urticaria

Very often, acute urticaria, the causes of which will be listed below, is allergic and occurs due to the increased sensitivity of the body to an allergen that has entered the body from the outside. The immune mechanism associated with the production of class E antibodies, through which most episodes of the acute stage of the disease pass, allows them to be classified as allergic. So what are the most common hives allergens?

  • Medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and many others).
  • Food (fish, milk, nuts, eggs, seafood).
  • Insect venom (entering the body through insect bites)
  • Various substances and household chemicals that come into direct contact with the skin, resulting in an allergic reaction (pet saliva, latex gloves, indoor plants, detergents, washing powder, etc.).

First aid for angioedema

If a patient (especially a child) has hives, swelling of the upper respiratory tract, and you observe symptoms of suffocation in him, call an ambulance immediately.

In anticipation of the "ambulance" the patient is given first aid: you must immediately give any antihistamine from the home medicine cabinet and drink valerian in order to even out breathing. Help the patient relieve the panic attack that occurs during suffocation. Breathing should be calm, shallow and even. If the patient begins to panic and breathe deeply, this can lead to increased swelling.

A small child must be calmed, picked up and talked to him in a calm voice. You can take the baby out into the cold. In case of suffocation, mandatory hospitalization is necessary.

Disease prevalence

Urticaria is a very common disease. How many patients are there worldwide? Almost a quarter of the world's population (15-25%) has an episode of this disease at least once in their life. Of these, 60% of cases are acute urticaria. If a single rash on the body quickly and spontaneously disappeared, patients, as a rule, do not seek medical help.

Urticaria acute and chronic

Urticaria disease is divided into acute and chronic, depending on the duration of its course.

Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks. Chronic urticaria lasts more than 6 weeks.

According to statistics, the acute form of the disease is observed in childhood and adolescence, and the chronic form is more typical for adults. Middle-aged women (20-40 years old) are more susceptible to this disease than men. The chronic form of the disease accounts for up to 30% of the total number of episodes.

Sometimes the disease is genetically determined (hereditary) and has been observed for several generations in the same family.

Patients who have been diagnosed with a chronic disease doomedly believe that they will never be able to get rid of it. This opinion is erroneous. How long does chronic urticaria treatment last? In most cases, recovery occurs within a few months.

How dangerous is hives?

The idea of ​​excessive danger of this disease is exaggerated.

  • The disease is not fatal and cannot lead to the death of the patient, except in extremely rare cases when anaphylactic shock and swelling of the throat (urticaria, Quincke's edema) develops. Urticaria itself is not dangerous.
  • Urticaria, symptoms and accompanying angioedema do not lead to damage and disruption of the internal organs. Such consequences can lead to a concomitant disease that caused the urticaria itself.
  • How long does the illness last? Most often, the disease goes away by itself after 6 weeks (if it is acute) or after a few months (if it is chronic). Only in 10-20% of episodes the chronic form of the disease lasts from 1 to 5 years. In less than 10% of cases, the disease lasts more than 20 years.

Causes of non-allergic urticaria

If urticaria occurs as a result of exposure to the skin of external physical factors, we are talking about the so-called physical (mechanical) urticaria. It can be caused by the following reasons:

  • Mechanical irritation of the skin by pressure, friction or compression.
  • Exposure to sunlight.
  • Physical activity, staying in an unventilated room.
  • Impact of vibration.
  • Direct skin contact with drugs, food, insect bites.
  • The impact of heat.
  • The impact of cold.
  • The impact of water.

Types of physical urticaria

Depending on what physical factor provoked the development of the disease, urticaria is distinguished:

  • dermographic;
  • solar;
  • cholinergic;
  • vibration;
  • papular;
  • thermal;
  • cold;
  • aquatic.

Diagnosis of the disease

Before starting treatment, a general practitioner or an allergist-immunologist should identify the causes of urticaria. Making a diagnosis of an acute disease is quite simple. To determine the type of mechanical urticaria, provocative tests are performed:

  • Phototesting - irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet rays with different wavelengths (sunlight).
  • Cold test - Duncan test with a piece of ice (cold temperature). The reaction of the skin to cold exposure is tested.
  • Water compress with a temperature of 25 degrees (aquagenic).
  • Mechanical effect on the skin (dermographic to.).
  • Hot bath, exercise test, bicycle ergometry (cholinergic and thermal to.).
  • Suspended load test (slow k.).

For food and drug urticaria, the specialist conducts provocative tests with allergens (presumably causing an allergic reaction) and observes what reaction will follow.

When diagnosing idiopathic (with an unknown cause) urticaria lasting more than 6 weeks, the doctor must exclude the presence of systemic diseases. To do this, the patient is given a skin biopsy (to exclude the diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis). How many tests should be done during the examination? The patient submits:

  • general urine analysis,
  • blood test (determine the ESR reaction);
  • blood chemistry;
  • rheumatic tests;
  • bacteriological tests;
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Treatment of the disease

  1. Acute urticaria: its treatment includes the use of first-generation antihistamines: suprastin and tavegil.
  2. For the treatment of the chronic form of the disease use:
  • cetirizine;
  • cyproheptadine;
  • fexofenadine;
  • cimetidine, ranitidine;
  • loratadine.

If you see a doctor in a timely manner, the symptoms of acute urticaria quickly disappear (itching disappears, the rash on the skin disappears). Improvement in well-being in 70% of patients is observed after 72 hours. In the chronic course of the disease, 30% of patients experience improvement.

  1. Appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures: UVR, faradic and static currents, wet wraps, therapeutic baths.
  2. The use of ointments (to relieve itching and rashes on the skin): prednisolone, Deperzolon, Lorinden C, Flucinar and Fluorocort.
  3. The appointment of a hypoallergenic diet is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor (individually for each patient).

hypoallergenic diet

It is necessary to find out which food allergies caused the development of the disease. To do this, exclude one product from the patient's diet (within two months) and observe what reaction of the body will follow. If during this time the patient feels relieved, then the foods excluded from the diet are carefully, in small portions, introduced into the daily diet. If the allergy recurs (as evidenced by the reaction of the body, expressed in the form of itching and rashes on the skin), this means that this product must be permanently excluded from the diet.

Is it possible to get rid of hives? Forecast.

What should not be done to a patient who has symptoms of urticaria? First of all, let the disease take its course and self-medicate. At the first signs of rashes on the skin and the presence of itching, you should immediately contact a specialist: an allergist-immunologist or a general practitioner.

  • In acute urticaria, during which an anaphylactic reaction occurred, immediate assistance is necessary. Delay can be fatal.
  • Bathing in cold water can be fatal for patients with cold urticaria: death can occur as a result of a systemic lesion (the body's reaction to hypothermia is a drop in blood pressure and suffocation).
  • In the case of recurrence of urticaria over 6 months, it is likely that it will be observed for another 10 years in 40% of patients.
  • Chronic urticaria is characterized by an undulating course with no progressive deterioration.
  • How many patients were able to get rid of urticaria? According to statistics, 50% of patients with recurrent chronic urticaria experience spontaneous (spontaneous) remission.

If you follow a special hypoallergenic diet that excludes the use of foods containing allergens and if all the doctor's instructions are followed, you can get rid of urticaria forever.

Related videos

The article is presented for informational purposes. The appointment of treatment should be made only by a doctor!

Urticaria is a disease of a dermatological nature, accompanied by symptoms in the form of a nettle type of rash. It occurs on the mucous surface of a person and is due to the genesis of an allergic plan. Consider what is urticaria photo symptoms and treatment in adults.

Clinically, there are several factors that accompany the disease. These signs are dependent on the type of disease.

Acute course of the disease

The acute form of the disease manifests itself due to the fact that the body has a response to the antigens of substances - irritants. Symptoms occur by the appearance of itchy blisters, as if raised above the surface of the skin. The sizes and outlines of such phenomena can be any, and a brilliance is formed in the center. Formations can be combined into several groups, forming large lesions.

This can lead to worsening symptoms in the form of fever, urticaria and intestinal disorders. A photo shows that the trunk, limbs and buttocks act as a characteristic localization of this form of the disease.

Allergic inflammation may occur in the palate, oral mucosa and labium. You can also see what does it look like rash. The duration is several days.

The disease is provoked by the fact that the process is significantly influenced by a chronic infection based on the ENT organs. Also, an infection in the uterine appendages, caries, problems with the liver and gastrointestinal tract can become a provocation factor. Video shows the main manifestations of the disease in different bodily areas, so it will not be difficult to determine first signs on their own.

Clinically, the course of this disease occurs in attacks, there are small focal areas of the rash that can occur on different surfaces of the skin.

What are the symptoms characteristic of the chronic form:

  • asthenia and increased weakness of the body;
  • a noticeable increase in body temperature;
  • the occurrence of headache and joint pain;
  • the formation of acute itching and burning in the zones;
  • neurotic and mental disorders.

If you conduct blood tests, you can notice a decrease in platelets, as well as a quantitative increase in the normative value of eosinophils.


As the main provocateurs appearance diseases are numerous causes and phenomena.

  • Impact of mechanical and physical injuries;
  • regularly uncontrolled intake of chemicals;
  • abuse of means of the pharmacological industry;
  • the use of food products that have an allergic effect;
  • the presence of internal pathological phenomena and processes;
  • existing problems with the stomach, nervous system and liver;
  • vegetative disorders and other phenomena.

Based on the main factor occurrence disease is the process of multiplication of chemical compounds that increase the permeability of the walls of blood vessels and the expansion of skin capillaries. This phenomenon provokes seizures and puffiness on the dermis, during which bubble type rashes appear, which are shown on a photo. Also formed allergy to irritants, which can have any location and dimensional characteristics.


Types of urticaria in adults

First of all, within the framework of the classification, it is mentioned acute and chronic form of the disease. In the first case, the manifestation occurs suddenly, and the process proceeds quickly, in the second, the duration is increased, and the symptoms are not so acute. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, other forms and varieties of the rash may appear.

  • . It can be observed in the larynx, while the tongue, tonsils swell, the process leads to suffocation. There are bouts of itching, burning and insomnia. The rash penetrates into large skin areas.

  • Sunny urticaria is a phenomenon that occurs when a sick person comes into contact with ultraviolet rays. Itchy blisters, sores, and ulcerative lesions can occur here.

  • Reflex cold urticaria - most often the disease makes itself felt in the winter season, when low temperatures occur in outdoor conditions and within the premises.

  • Thermal urticaria can occur against the background of frequent stay in the bath or in the bath.

  • Contact the form of the disease most often manifests itself in the case of mechanical effects on the condition of the skin. For example, if strong pressure is exerted by clothing.

  • Dermographic urticaria is also often found in adults as part of the impact on the body of irritating factors.

  • Aquagenic urticaria is formed during the interaction of the body with water conditions.

  • Idiopathic the form of the disease manifests itself less frequently and occurs in the course of various causes and factors.

  • Also often found persistent papular chronic a form represented by alternating periods of remissions and exacerbations,

  • and physical hives.

The photo above shows the features of the manifestation of each type of disease.

How to treat hives in an adult list of drugs

The first stage in any form of the disease is a trip to a specialist. After a detailed acquaintance with the general situation, a good doctor will be able to prescribe the required tests and establish a picture based on them. To eliminate the symptoms and causes, various treatments aimed at suppressing the general symptoms and primary sources of the disease. Widely used antihistamine formulations, corticosteroids, topical agents, immune therapeutic interventions, scheme actions of all methods - elimination of the source of the process on the skin.

The use of tablets to eliminate urticaria

it antihistamines funds related to the second and third generation.

This drug contributes to the effective suppression of the symptoms of swelling and mucous membranes under the influence of allergens. Fights acute forms of the disease and swelling.

Effectively suppresses the symptoms of itching and inflammation, 30 minutes after ingestion suppresses allergic manifestations and cough, as well as other accompanying phenomena.

The remedy is aimed at calming the body and stabilizing the work of the nervous system. Suppresses the feeling of headache and nausea, and also fights other symptoms of urticaria.

The action of the drug is directed against the occurrence of allergies. It helps to remove itching and burning and can relieve the manifestations of urticaria and Quincke's edema.

In combination with these drugs, sedatives can be used. funds: MAGNE B6, SEDAMIN. In severe forms, natural-based drugs can be used.

Creams and lotions for disease

The use of tablets is long, so you have to resort to local treatment, using ointments and creams. They will help answer the question how to heal fast and remove ugly skin redness. The most popular means:

  • ELOKOM;
  • ADVANTAN;
  • SODERM;
  • FLUCINAR.

All groups of drugs are applied through a thin layer, and the presence of a small amount of hormones in the composition enhances the effect of the application.


Folk methods widely used to achieve these goals, the following recipes apply.

  • Infusion with string, chamomile, nettle, with its help you need to wipe the affected areas.
  • Natural preparations that soothe the skin are the juices of watermelon, celery, cucumber, melon.
  • If it is necessary to eliminate the most visible manifestations, it is necessary to drink chamomile infusion inside.
  • If necessary, removing the rash will help baths of conifers, eucalyptus, mint, lemon balm.

All ways of treatment simple and harmless, but require medical advice.


An important role is played food, especially in the presence of an acute form of the disease. Mandatory menu must contain products.

  • Porridges cooked in pure water;
  • soups from cereals and vegetable crops in olive oil;
  • baked apples;
  • a large amount of kefir, yogurt and compote.

There are numerous recipes of these dishes, since the rules for eating are similar to a regular diet for weight loss.

Have you observed hives photo symptoms and treatment in adults? Leave your opinion or feedback for everyone on the forum!

There is a urticaria not only of an allergic nature. There are many causes and diseases that can be hidden behind it:

Urticaria (Urticaria) or urticaria - its symptoms and treatment will be considered in both adults and children. Under the urticaria understand a number of allergic diseases of an immunological nature.

The incidence of urticaria in the population is quite high, which, accordingly, defines it as a common disease. Moreover, at least once in a lifetime, about 10 to 35% of the population faced its manifestation.

The most unfavorable variant of the course of this disease is chronic urticaria, the duration of which is about more than 5-7 weeks.

Reasons for the appearance

It is often very difficult to find out why urticaria appears due to the fact that the main cause is the body's allergic reactions and certain malfunctions in the immune system.

The disease develops in conjunction with vascular permeability and the formation of edema. The main factor of pathology is hereditary predisposition.

There are many other reasons why hives occur in adults:

Urticaria can be acute or chronic. The duration of the chronic form averages 3-5 years (it can stretch up to 20 years). The acute form is an allergic reaction of an immediate type, which lasts up to 6 weeks.

There are various causes of the disease. The acute form of urticaria appears in most cases under the influence of food irritants.

This course of the disease is typical for children, as they are most susceptible to the influence of allergens common among products. Irritating effects have:

    seafood;

Also, the acute course of the disease is often observed under the influence of drugs. A strong effect can be exerted by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibacterial drugs.

In general, the causes contributing to the development of urticaria can be defined as endogenous and exogenous. Temperature, chemical, physical, mechanical, as well as pharmacological (in particular, various sera and antibiotics are isolated here) products and food products are determined as exogenous causes.

As for the causes of endogenous, these include various pathologies that are relevant to the internal organs. In particular, in this case, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and liver are distinguished.

Again, insect bites (bloodsucking, in particular mosquitoes, midges, mosquitoes, fleas, etc.) are distinguished as the cause of the development of the disease in question. Due to their bites, chemically active substances similar to histamine enter the body with saliva.

In addition to these reasons, a significant role is given to helminthic invasions.

Classification

In the acute form of urticaria, the temperature can rise sharply, sometimes vomiting occurs, fainting is possible. During the disease, the permeability of the walls of blood vessels is disturbed, which leads to severe swelling of the tissues.

Allergic (immune) form of urticaria - the organs of the immune system take part in the inflammatory process, which leads to the active formation of antibodies, and the level of histamine rises. May occur against the background of disorders of the digestive system.

Some foods can provoke the appearance of allergic urticaria - potatoes, chocolate, citrus fruits, eggs. Rashes often appear after taking antibiotics, B vitamins. Allergies can be caused by dust, animal hair, dandruff, and insect venom.

Urticaria manifests itself in the form of various symptoms. Depending on the causes of occurrence and the degree of damage, the disease can be in different forms.

Urticaria can manifest itself in several varieties, each of which is characterized by its own characteristics of the course and symptoms. In particular, the following main varieties are distinguished, determined based on the characteristics of the flow:

  • acute urticaria (Quincke's edema in an acute limited form of manifestation is also included in it);
  • chronic relapsing;
  • chronic papular persistent.

By type of effect on the skin:

There are several principles for classifying urticaria. The division according to pathogenetic features allows us to distinguish between allergic and pseudo-allergic types of the disease. Allergic urticaria is characterized by an immune mechanism of development, its progression is associated with contact with allergens.

According to the features of the clinical course, three forms of the pathological process are distinguished:

  • Acute. It is characterized by a general deterioration in well-being, blisters on the skin, an increase in body temperature. One of the private forms of acute urticaria is Quincke's edema.
  • Chronic relapsing. It can last for months or years, develops as a continuation of the acute form of urticaria. Characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission.
  • Persistent papular chronic. The rash (photo) is constantly localized on the skin, gradually spreading. Not only rashes on the body are characteristic, but also a rash on the hands, a rash on the legs and a rash on the face.

According to the main provoking factors, the following types of urticaria are distinguished:

  • Cold. Provoked by exposure to low temperatures. Reflex cold pathology develops with direct contact of the skin with cold objects.
  • Sunny. Possible due to solar radiation.
  • Thermal. Caused by heat.
  • Dermographic. It develops after minor scratches on the skin.

All these forms can be combined into the concept of "physical urticaria".

Also, one of the forms of urticaria is contact, which develops upon direct contact with an irritant, most often an allergen.

Aquagenic urticaria progresses on contact with water.

If the causes of the pathological process remain unclear, then this condition is called “idiopathic urticaria”.

The variety of clinical forms of urticaria creates certain difficulties in the diagnosis of this disease. To identify pathology, it is necessary to contact not only a dermatologist, but also an allergist, to establish the possible allergic nature of the disease.

Symptoms and signs of hives

In severe urticaria, systemic symptoms may dominate with the development of an anaphylactic reaction accompanied by shock and manifested by hypotension, bronchospasm, angioedema, and diffuse urticaria.

In the absence of systemic manifestations, a pronounced urticarial rash does not suggest an anaphylactic reaction. Most often, an anaphylactic reaction is observed with hypersensitivity to drugs and the introduction of radiopaque agents.

Symptoms of the disease

The blisters resemble traces of mosquito bites or nettle stings. Initially, they are red or pink in color, varying in size from 0.5 to 15 cm.

Over time, there is an accumulation of exudate and compression of the capillaries of the skin, and the elements of the rash become light. The rash can be isolated on the face, hands, and with a progressive course it can spread to free areas of the body, becoming generalized, while the rash is accompanied by itching and burning.

If a generalized urticarial rash appears in children of the first years of life, then this may indicate its hereditary nature. Urticaria in adults, the symptoms of which are similar to hereditary, is almost always acquired.

Like any other chronic disease, it comes with periods of remissions and exacerbations. With a relapse, the patient also has a headache, weakness, dyspepsia, fever, vomiting, anxiety, sleep disturbance due to severe itching of the skin.

The clinical manifestations of urticaria are associated with an immediate-delayed hypersensitivity reaction. A common link in the pathogenesis of any clinical form of the disease is swelling of the papillary layer of the skin, which develops as a result of an increase in the permeability of the capillary wall of the microvasculature. These changes are associated with the action of histamine, which is secreted by mast cells. Their activation (degranulation) can occur for various reasons. In this regard, there is a classification of urticaria according to the etiopathogenetic principle:

Physical urticaria

Clinical symptoms of urticaria:

  • a characteristic feature is red rashes on the body, may be in the form of blisters;
  • intolerable itching;
  • fever;
  • vomit;
  • headaches, shortness of breath;
  • bronchospasm.

Signs of urticaria largely depend on its causes. The acute form is manifested by the sharp appearance of a rash on large areas of the body.

This is a consequence of a new allergen entering the body, so it can pass in a couple of hours. If the cause of the rash is exposure to sunlight, then swelling and blisters appear, plus damage to the mucous membranes.

In people with pathological disorders of the liver, the course of the disease causes the appearance of nodules on the folds of the limbs, which eventually turn into papules.

There is also an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Possible anaphylactic shock.

Giant urticaria is a lesion of the skin accompanied by fever, diarrhea, fever. The risk of Quincke's edema is very high, since the lesion reaches the mucous membranes and causes their swelling. In the chronic form, the manifestation of urticaria is paroxysmal and has a certain periodicity. Occurs due to a violation in the metabolic processes of the body. How to treat hives in adults? The first task is to find out the reasons. The appearance of urticaria is due to much more serious processes in the body. The rash is already a consequence. Having cured the cause, you can also remove the effect, therefore, in children and adults, treatment is mandatory. Why urticaria appears:

  • due to allergic reactions;
  • pathologies of the liver and kidneys also lead to such manifestations;
  • unstable work of the gastrointestinal tract, can often provoke urticaria such a disease as gastritis;
  • nervous shock or exhaustion of the body, overwork, lack of sleep;
  • temperature fluctuations, ecological situation, harmful work;
  • drug urticaria provoked by medication;
  • insect bites can provoke not only hives, but swelling of the respiratory tract;
  • against the background of hormonal disorders or changes in the body (adolescence, pregnancy, menopause);
  • helminthiasis, HIV, syphilis, autoimmune diseases.

Long-term medication can cause hives

On the Internet you can find many urticaria photos. A distinctive feature of the disease are blisters on the skin. They are easily confused with an insect bite, a burn on contact with nettles.

The affected areas of the skin are red. If the disease is characterized by a severe course, then the rashes merge into one, forming a giant blister.

The skin is covered with exudative elements - blisters. Sometimes a rash can also appear on the mucous membranes. Rashes are bright red in color, have different shapes and sizes and are accompanied by intolerable itching. They are always higher than the rest of the skin.

DIAGNOSTICS

The diagnosis is made visually, and is based on the presence of the primary element characteristic of urticaria - a blister. Bright urticarial dermographism at the lesions is a confirmatory criterion.

The diagnostic program is always formed individually based on the history and clinical picture. So, if allergic urticaria is suspected, the "gold standard" is to conduct skin tests with specific allergens.

If contact, cold, aquatic and thermal urticaria are suspected, diagnostic tests are performed with alleged provoking factors.

For urticaria, accompanied by the appearance of additional reactions of the body, in some cases, symptoms of the following diseases can be taken:

    • urticarial vasculitis;
    • scabies;
    • herpetiform dermatitis;
    • serum sickness;
    • autoimmune progesterone dermatitis and some others.

In this regard, the diagnosis of the disease, first of all, helps to differentiate urticaria. Further, based on the data obtained, the pathogen is determined and treatment is prescribed.

To diagnose the form of acute urticaria, a high-quality history taking, physical examinations, as well as the results of a general urine and blood test, and an ESR analysis are often sufficient.

If acute urticaria is allergic, and there is also an assumption that a food product has become its causative agent, the doctor will definitely recommend taking allergy tests.

If the urticaria is chronic, a lot of special studies are added to the standard analyzes aimed at identifying the true cause of the pathology.

At the same time, as tests are taken, it is important to exclude the possibility of the presence of malignant neoplasms, rheumatism, metabolic disorders and infectious diseases.

It is possible to diagnose urticaria already by identifying the characteristic elements of the rash. When conducting a clinical examination, it is important to correctly collect an anamnesis: the time of onset of the disease, the relationship with a possible provoking agent, the frequency and form of rashes, etc.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical manifestations and patient interviews. Almost always there is contact with an allergen, a deep examination reveals sensitization of the body, helminthic invasions, and the presence of foci of chronic infection.

Allergological tests are carried out to identify the exact type of allergen.

Since there are no diagnostic tests for urticaria, diagnosis is mainly based on history and clinical examination.

TREATMENT

Description of the disease urticaria

Treatment of urticaria is aimed at identifying the allergen-irritant that provokes allergies. Often this provocateur is a medicine (aspirin, diuretics, penicillin, etc.).

). If you notice that after taking medications, itching, restless skin condition appears, then you need to abandon these medications and choose another drug.

When a person has found out what the provoking factor is, it is necessary to choose the right treatment for the disease. To do this, exclude possible allergens, adjust nutrition and cleanse the body.

If, during the test, the presence of worms in the body is detected and there are symptoms of urticaria, a person needs to contact an allergist with this problem.

The doctor will prescribe antihistamine and anthelmintic drugs. The emerging symptom of urticaria will begin to disappear the very next day, and it will be possible to get rid of worms after 14 days.

For a patient with urticaria, the doctor prescribes enemas to cleanse the body, drinking in large quantities, taking activated charcoal tablets or similar enterosorbents.

If necessary, remove the intoxication of the body.

For any form of urticaria, the doctor prescribes sedatives and antihistamines. This treatment can relieve itching, burning and swelling. Usually these are medicines such as: Loratidine, Tavegil, Erius, Tazepam and Zyrtec.

In cases with an acute form of urticaria, drugs with a high content of calcium, as well as diuretic and antiallergic effects, are prescribed to relieve swelling.

In severe forms of the disease, hormonal agents are widely used. Their use is carried out in small courses, long-term use can lead to serious consequences.

In normal cases, taking medication leads to an improvement in the condition and getting rid of the symptoms of the disease. In rather difficult situations, the doctor may prescribe the simultaneous administration of hormonal drugs and anabolic steroids.

In severe forms, drugs with a large amount of hormones are used. The drugs are able to quickly stop the symptoms of urticaria, but they have many negative consequences, it is for this reason that a doctor's consultation is mandatory before taking them.

For the best effect, the patient needs to undergo various physiotherapeutic procedures.

Related video:

Folk remedies for the treatment of urticaria have been successfully used since ancient times, among them we present the most effective and time-tested. However, persons with pollinosis, allergic reactions to certain types of medicinal plants, should use the proposed methods with caution, or refuse them if they are hypersensitive:

To effectively treat urticaria, it is necessary to eliminate the allergen, but for most patients this is not possible, since the exact cause of the disease is often unknown.

Among the medications, the second generation H1-histamine blockers (loratadine, cetirizine) are in the first place, because it is known that allergic symptoms are mediated through H1-histamine receptors.

The choice of these drugs is explained by their high efficiency, prolonged action and the absence of adverse reactions. In mild cases, antihistamines are used for about one month.

If therapy with H1-histamine blockers has not brought results, then systemic glucocorticosteroids, anxiolytics, antidepressants are offered as an alternative. The latter group of drugs tend to block the action of histamine and other mediators of allergy. In parallel, infusion therapy is carried out, that is, the patient is injected with saline, calcium and magnesium chloride by drip for 3-4 days under the control of laboratory tests.

Features of treatment in adults depend on the form of the disease. So, for example, in idiopathic urticaria, in addition to the above remedies, digestive enzymes (festal) are recommended, and in cold urticaria, a course of hyposensitization with some kind of refrigerant (ice cube) is carried out to develop tolerance to cold exposure.

How to treat folk remedies

Then this decoction can be added to the bath while bathing. This treatment is carried out several times a month.

You can also brew fresh nettles, and use the decoction instead of tea.

The affected areas of the skin can be wiped with freshly squeezed juice from red clover inflorescences. Some time after the procedure, the product must be washed off the skin. It should be remembered that alternative treatment cannot be the main one and should be carried out only after agreement with the attending physician.

Treatment in adults and children begins with the identification and elimination of the allergen, for which a number of different tests are carried out.

The basis of therapy is antihistamines:

  1. Suprastin, Diazolin - drugs of the first generation, act quickly, but have a short effect, no more than 8 hours. They are forbidden to be taken by people whose work requires increased concentration, since they act as a sedative and hypnotic. There is an addictive effect - if you take the pills for more than 3 weeks, their activity decreases.
  2. Claritin, Lomilan - drugs of the second generation, do not affect mental and physical activity. It should not be taken by the elderly, with cardiovascular pathologies.
  3. Telfast, Zirtek - antiallergic drugs of a new generation. Medicines with a minimum number of side effects, do not have a sedative effect, can be taken by the elderly.

In severe forms of the disease, injections of Dexamethasone, Prednisolone are prescribed. Preparations for external use help to get rid of itching - Fenistil-gel, prednisolone ointment.

Urticaria in children, according to the clinical picture and causes, does not differ from adults. For treatment, antihistamines are used - Hydroxyzine, Cyproheptadine, Claritin. If the cause of the disease is stress, then Cimetidine is prescribed.

For the treatment of children, you can use folk remedies after prior consultation with a doctor. It is best to use herbs for baths - mix equal proportions of string and chamomile, pour 140 g of collection into a bag of thin natural fabric, pour 3 liters of boiling water.

After 6 hours, the infusion will be ready, it should be poured into the bath. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.

Is it possible to wash with allergic urticaria? Bathing is not only possible, but also necessary, because all bacteria and microbes multiply faster on dirty skin. Do not use hot water for water procedures, rub the damaged areas strongly.

To understand whether it is possible to recover, you need to clearly understand what urticaria is. On the one hand, everything seems to be clear and simple.

This is a rash that appears as a result of exposure to the body of an irritant from the inside or outside. Yes, it is very easy to remove the allergen and that's it.

But, sometimes there are factors beyond the patient's control. Allergic reactions are divided into:.

  • controlled - these are reactions to allergens that can be easily excluded from your environment;
  • uncontrolled, reaction to dust or animals: dust is everywhere and animals walk on the street, so this type of allergy is not subject to strict control.

In connection with this turn of events, it is simply impossible to say how long an adult will be treated for urticaria.

You can stop the symptoms, but sooner or later the body will again encounter an irritant and the rash will begin to appear on the body again. Therefore, you should not believe that you can be cured in a matter of days by taking antihistamines.

If these are manifestations in connection with the pathology of the development of internal organs, then even more so one should not think that you can quickly get rid of the disease. If you put the question correctly - how long a rash can be on the body, then it's a completely different matter.

It already depends on the degree of manifestation. On average, from two hours to several months.

You can't get rid of allergies to cats and other animals

How to treat urticaria in adults yet? Blood purification: plasmapheresis, ultraviolet radiation, hemooxygenation, hemosorption, laser plasma cleaning. Cleansing the blood with folk methods and physiotherapy methods.

Urticaria treatment is a multi-step process. At the first stage of the manifestation of the disease, it is important to assess the patient's condition. In some cases, you can manage the symptoms on your own. If the symptoms worsen, then you need to call an ambulance.

The main thing in the treatment of this disease is to find and eliminate the cause that provokes the appearance of urticaria. In the acute form of allergic urticaria, the allergen is usually not difficult to detect.

But the chronic form of the disease requires a complete examination of the body. In this case, it is impossible to do without consulting a dermatologist and passing many tests.

Treatment of the urticaria itself usually comes down to combating its symptoms. Traditional treatments include antihistamines to soothe itching, such as lotions, creams, ointments, and cool compresses.

In severe cases, corticosteroids are used - these are steroid hormones.

Treatment for hives may include:

  • Medical treatment.
  • Ultraviolet.
  • Oxygenation is when the blood is saturated with oxygen.
  • Cryotherapy.
  • Phytotherapy.
  • Wet wrap.
  • Therapeutic baths with herbs.

Treatment in adults

Although in many cases, the treatment of urticaria at home is also effective, with its mild manifestations. But if the disease manifests itself in a child, then you need to seek help from a specialist.

A provoking factor that is not identified in time quite often leads to a complication of the disease.

Urticaria in adults, what is dangerous is its property to flare up suddenly at any time. Therefore, each person should know what first aid should be provided for severe manifestations before the arrival of an ambulance or going to the hospital.

I give the doctor's opinion on the traditional treatment of urticaria, as well as some traditional treatment regimens. We will also talk about the opinion of alternative medicine regarding skin diseases, including hives.

Medical therapy

Let's clarify right away that there are no folk remedies that could be recommended for treatment at home - the doctor says ... Therefore, do not waste precious time searching for them, but immediately contact a medical institution with an immunologist-allergist, dermatologist or therapist. Well, do not take everything so seriously - this is how they teach to treat in a medical school ...

In some cases, you need to call emergency help. Prior to the arrival of the brigade, act independently:

  • eliminate the allergen that caused the reaction
  • give warm water
  • if necessary, drink sorbent Enterosgel, Smecta or activated carbon

With a food form of allergy - gastric lavage. In case of an allergic reaction to the injection, apply ice to the injection area.

Further treatment will be carried out by a doctor. With nettle disease, the basis of treatment is antihistamines. Ointments and lotions soothing itching, sedatives are prescribed. In difficult episodes, corticosteroid drugs and adrenaline are prescribed in emergency situations.

How to quickly cure hives with medication? To cure urticaria, in most cases it will be necessary to take the following antihistamines:

  • Tavegil
  • Diazolin
  • Suprastin
  • Diphenhydramine

Their plus is the quick effect of the application, the minus is the action is short and the hypnotic effect (induces sleep), as well as all sorts of side effects up to cardiac arrest.

There is incompatibility with other medicines.

In 40% of cases, taking these drugs will relieve the symptoms of rash and itching, especially in the acute form of the disease.

In parallel, you can use non-drug remedies: a solution of menthol (water) and soda baths or lotions with soda - to relieve itching.

But what if the relief was short-lived and again everything happened again and with even worse symptoms? Then it is necessary to apply a comprehensive systemic treatment, which the doctor will select, taking into account all the nuances.

Drug treatment of urticaria is limited to relieving symptoms. There are three lines of treatment for urticaria. Based on the analysis and laboratory examinations, as well as the course of the disease, only the doctor can choose what is suitable for a particular patient.

1. Histamine blockers (H1 and H2), glucocorticosteroids - with a complicated form of the disease and adrenaline - with Quincke's edema.

2. Adding antihistamines, increasing doses of H2 histamine blockers, using a number of drugs: nifedepine, antidepressants, leukotriene receptor antagonist (inhibit the release of leukotrienes together with histamine).

3. The use of drugs-modulators of immunity that inhibit it (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate); in the idiopathic form of urticaria, the following drugs are recommended: warfarin, salbutamol, dapsone, sulfasalazine.

Histamine blockers H1 and H2, the most effective in suppressing urticaria:

  • Ranitidine 150 mg orally twice a day.
  • Diphenhydramine (Dimedrol) 25-50 mg orally 4 times a day).
  • Cyproheptadine (peritol) 4 mg orally 3 times a day.
  • Cetirizine 10 mg once a day for two weeks (short-term) or more than two weeks and up to three months (medium-term).
  • Desloratadine 5 mg for at least the medium term and 20 mg for the short term.
  • Levocetirizine at a dose of 5 mg was effective in completely suppressing urticaria in the medium term, a dose of 20 mg was effective in the short term (lower dose is ineffective).

Glucocorticosteroids (GCS) are hormonal drugs used to prevent swelling:

  1. Prednisolone
  2. Prednisol
  3. Dexamethasone
  4. Nerobol

Most of these medicines have dangerous side effects, so they can only be used as directed and under the supervision of a doctor.

Folk remedies

Although traditional medicine denies the effectiveness of folk remedies, they are used, especially for urticaria in young children or in those who are contraindicated in the above drug treatment regimens for urticaria.

What do healers advise us? What herbs or mixtures can relieve symptoms, itching and blisters?

In alleviating the condition of patients with nettle disease, medicinal herbs, bee products, various essential oils, horseradish juice are used: You can find a huge number of recipes for different types of rashes here.

From myself I can add that taking a bath with a decoction of nettle perfectly relieves itching and swelling of the skin.

Collect a bucket of nettle leaves, brew with boiling water, cover with a lid until cool and strain, pour into the bath - the effect is amazing! You can even sleep, as the itching goes away ...

Alternative medicine

From the point of view of alternative medicine, all skin diseases are associated with a malfunction of our internal sewage - lymph. Our blood moves due to the work of the heart and the contraction of the muscular membrane of the vessels.

With lymph, things are different. In order for the lymph not to turn into a stagnant swamp, it is necessary to move the muscles of the body and work active points, which are rich in the skin (oriental medicine actively uses them for various kinds of healing).

Medical therapy

Treatment of urticaria is carried out with the help of drugs of various groups. Among them are:

    antihistamines;

    glucocorticosteroids;

    non-hormonal ointments.

An obligatory point of therapy is the intake of antihistamines. With urticaria, they are assigned in the following order:

    standard dose of histamine blockers of the second generation (Loratadin, Telfast, Xizal, Eirus, Zirtek, Zodak);

    increase in dosage with treatment failure no more than 4 times;

    adding to the specified means of another means of the II generation;

    in the absence of results, the appointment of a first-generation agent (Dimedrol, Allergin, Suprastin, Akrivastina, Cyproheptadine).

If the treatment does not eliminate the symptoms of the lesion, then hormonal drugs Prednisolone, Dexamethasone are prescribed. In the case of autoimmune urticaria, immunosuppressive drugs (Cyclosporine) may be indicated.

Affected skin surfaces are lubricated with local agents. Among them, ointments are most often used. At the initial stage of skin lesions, non-hormonal drugs are prescribed:

    Fenistil-gel;

    Soventol;

    Psilo balm.

They relieve itching, swelling of tissues, redness of the skin. Also, the funds have an anti-inflammatory effect. With mild irritation on the skin, they easily cope with the task.

If non-hormonal therapy has not brought results, then drugs in the form of hormones are connected. They are divided depending on the strength of the action into:

    weak (Sinaflan, Hydrocortisone, Laticort, Flucinar);

    medium impact (Afloderm, Fluorocort, Triamcinolone);

    strong (Lokoid, Advantan, Celestoderm, Elocom);

    very strong (Demovate, Clovate).

Urticaria: treatment and first aid at home

A person prone to the disease should know how to treat hives on their own. Such treatment will help to stop the symptoms in time and protect yourself from complications.

In simple and accessible words, it is necessary to clean the sewers so that the lymph can flow freely and carry various waste products from the cells of our body to the excretory organs (kidneys, lungs, liver and sweat glands).

If there are too many such waste products, lymph and blood cannot cope with their transportation and disposal. Then the liver sends some of the "deposits" to the subcutaneous fat layer in the form of cellulite, and some of them provoke various skin rashes - from urticaria to psoriasis. Dirt crawls through the pores ...

That is, any skin problem is a bell that the body is too acidic, there are too many unutilized toxic waste products of the body, the immune system is also weakened due to the large amount of toxins.

Now I have a question: do you think that various ointments or injections or tablets alien to the body can remove the cause? Reduce pollution? Not! On the contrary, they can aggravate the problem and drive the disease into a chronic form.

What needs to be done in order for the body to cope with the excretion of waste materials? First of all, help the liver in its work with cleaning the blood and lymph.

In almost every article, I mention the importance of the natural cleansing of the body, which the Creator gave us - to remove bile from the body in time, which represents various waste and toxic substances from the blood collected by liver macrophages.

To do this, you just need to have breakfast in the morning with the presence of a teaspoon of butter or other fat. Only on fat will the gallbladder valve open and bile will be released into the duodenum, from where it will naturally leave the body and carry away all the dirt.

Now honestly answer yourself to everyone who has skin problems and so far without them: do you really have breakfast? Do you not just drink coffee or tea, but eat food with fat? Not oatmeal on the water ...

Neumyvakin about skin diseases

I like Neumyvakin's video, where he talks about the effect of acidified pH on the state of the lymph, how he cures psoriasis in his center in Kirov in three weeks - in a completely non-drug way, but using baths.

COMPLICATIONS

The acute course of the disease can be complicated by a life-threatening condition - anaphylactic shock. Acute swelling of the larynx and the development of respiratory failure are also possible. Such conditions require emergency resuscitation. Therefore, already at the first symptoms of urticaria, you should immediately consult a doctor for adequate treatment of this disease.

Conclusions and preventive measures

One of the most common diseases is urticaria in adults: everyone should know the symptoms, treatment and prevention in order not to run into problems.

The causes of this disease are many and far from always they are allergic in nature. Appearing in the form of itchy blisters, localized anywhere on the human body, including the scalp.

The most acceptable method of treatment is to eliminate the irritant. However, it is not always possible to identify it, and sometimes it is simply impossible to avoid it.

Hence the conclusion that it is possible to stop the symptoms, undergo a course of treatment, but sooner or later the rash will reappear. If this is an allergic factor, you can undergo specific allergen immunotherapy, after which there is ten or even more years of remission.

It is important to treat infectious diseases, diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract in time. With a weak immune system, take drugs that will increase immunity, thereby preventing many other diseases.

An important component in the prevention of this disease is hygiene. To significantly reduce the risk, it is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the body. Hygiene products should be on a natural basis and do not contain chemical flavors and dyes.

It is very important to give up bad habits, lead a healthy lifestyle, play sports, regularly take walks in the fresh air. It is necessary to avoid stressful situations, and treat neurological diseases in time.

It is impossible to independently diagnose and treat urticaria in adults or children, such attempts can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. This is not lichen or mycosis, which can be anointed with ointment and wait until it passes.

Urticaria always has a cause, but in a chronic course, in most cases it cannot be reliably established.

Treatment should be carried out under the supervision of several specialists: a dermatologist, an endocrinologist, an allergist, a geneticist and a gastroenterologist. Experienced specialists will provide a full range of therapeutic measures, which will be adjusted depending on the results of the examination.

The effectiveness of treatment will depend on the professionalism of doctors. The patient is only required to carefully comply with all requirements and recommendations.

Prevention consists in the sanitation of foci of infection, diseases of the digestive tract, nervous system. Again avoid exposure to allergens. It is required to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet, avoid food additives, dyes and stabilizers.

Prevention of urticaria, diet

Dietary nutrition is an integral part of the treatment of allergic urticaria. In a hospital setting, therapeutic fasting can be prescribed for 3-5 days. The optimal menu is compiled by a doctor on an individual basis.

How to make a menu correctly:

  • exclude dairy products, but dairy products can be consumed;
  • do not eat exotic fruits, especially brightly colored, seafood;
  • nuts, bee products, dried fruits can cause allergies;
  • vegetables and fish should be low-fat, they can be boiled, stewed, baked;
  • keep spices to a minimum.

With the development of urticaria in adult patients, the diet should be adjusted in order not to provoke an exacerbation of the pathological process.

The diet should be hypoallergenic, that is, it is supposed to exclude those foods that can cause a serious allergic reaction. Even if there was no previous allergy to a particular product, during an exacerbation of the pathology, the body's reaction to its use can be unpredictable.

The following products should be completely excluded:

  • fatty foods;
  • spicy foods and spices;
  • chocolate;
  • citruses;
  • canned food;
  • carbonated drinks.

It is also necessary to refuse to take alcoholic beverages. The menu of a patient suffering from urticaria involves only hypoallergenic dishes, the recipes of which are quite a lot. A doctor can help in choosing a diet, who, in addition to drug treatment, also prescribes a diet.

In order to minimize the manifestations of urticaria in adult patients, a number of recommendations should be followed:

  1. Refusal of bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol.
  2. The use of sedative herbal preparations or sedative medications.
  3. Water at a comfortable temperature while taking baths, avoiding excessively hard washcloths and towels.
  4. The use of natural, high-quality cosmetics.
  5. Limiting time spent in the sun.
  6. Regular wet cleaning, airing the apartment.
  7. Selection of clothes and bed linen made from natural fabrics.
  8. Timely treatment of pathologies that can provoke an exacerbation of urticaria.
  9. Prevention of all possible contact with allergens.
  10. Strengthening the immune system: hardening, taking immunomodulatory drugs.

It should be noted that both the patient himself and his relatives should remember about first aid measures to stop the manifestations of acute urticaria. This greatly reduces the risk of serious complications.

Treatment of urticaria and its prevention should be given special attention. It is important to follow all medical recommendations, to avoid contact with allergens and other provoking factors.

Urticaria can also often be called urticaria, urticaria (urticaria) or urticarial dermographism. This disease is mainly allergic, and is a rather difficult disease in terms of diagnosis and treatment.

When the first symptoms appear, you should seek help from an allergist-immunologist. The skin can be covered with a rash such as urticaria for a variety of reasons, so you need to conduct a complete examination of the patient and prescribe an individual course of therapy.

The term "urticaria" today combines a large group of diseases that differ from each other in their nature, but have similar clinical symptoms: blisters form on the skin, resembling nettle burn marks in appearance.

Causes of urticaria and its types

Depending on the complexity of the course of the disease, experts distinguish between two forms of urticaria: chronic and acute. The main sign of the chronic form is that relapses of the disease can occur both after a couple of months and after several years, while often alternating with almost daily rashes and the formation of light gaps. Urticaria of an acute form, as a rule, lasts.

Besides, in some cases, doctors diagnose artificial urticaria. This happens when blister-like stripes of an edematous nature appear on the human body. A similar phenomenon can be observed in patients suffering from ordinary urticaria.

Some experts also distinguish the so-called atypical form - this is persistent chronic papular urticaria. However, many doctors dispute the existence of this form due to insufficiently strong justifications.

There is also a fairly rare disease mastocytosis. Several of its forms can be called anything but urticaria pigmentosa. However, it is completely different from ordinary hives.

Special forms include:

  • Aquagenic;
  • Adrenergic;
  • Cholinergic;
  • Contact.

Depending on the clinical and pathogenetic features, the following types of this disease are distinguished:

  • Dermographic;
  • Vibrating;
  • Physical;
  • cold;
  • Urticaria, the appearance of which is associated with an increase in pressure.

In fact, urticaria is a classic polyetiological disease. There are quite a number of reasons for the appearance of the same symptoms.

The most widespread is allergic urticaria, which develops when a person has an immediate type of hypersensitivity to various allergens. Such a mechanism is the basis of the predominant part of allergic manifestations. This type of allergy is observed mainly after an insect bite or the use of any food product.

The immune complex type of urticaria develops as a pathological process caused by too active formation of special antigen-antibody complexes. Usually a rash is a reaction of the body to the administration of serums or medications.

Skin problems are equally common. associated with the manifestation of anaphylactoid reactions. They are characterized by a sufficiently high ability of mast cells to secrete active proteins, as well as various enzymes. However, no effect on the cells of the immune system occurs.

One of the important reasons for the development of urticaria, regardless of its form, is a violation of the normal function of the liver, which provokes failures in the process of destroying histamine, which is a rather active component of inflammation of allergic etiology. Often, the disease is the result of autoimmune inflammation, when the immune system takes the tissues of its own body as foreign.

Symptoms and manifestation


The main symptom of this disease is the covering of the skin with small blisters - protruding areas of the skin that are very similar to nettle burns or insect bites. Their occurrence is accompanied by quite severe itching.. Around the blisters, the surface of the skin acquires a reddish tint. Newly formed elements often grow to relatively large sizes, merging with each other. Such rashes are symmetrical.

Urticaria is characterized by complete reversibility of all skin elements. This means that after the attack of the disease is stopped, the skin will regain its original state, completely cleared of traces of hyperpigmentation and whitish spots. It should be noted that the scars do not remain.

Usually, rashes can damage the skin on any part of the body. In addition, they often migrate, appearing either on the stomach, or on the neck, or in other places. The whole process of the course of the disease of urticaria is divided into three separate stages:

  1. The beginning of the so-called immunological stage coincides with the moment of direct contact of the human body with some irritant or allergen. Then the causative agent of the disease, along with the blood flow, gradually spreads throughout the body, while the body secretes and accumulates the appropriate antibodies.
  2. During the pathochemical stage, formation is observed, as well as the release of ready-made mediators of an allergic reaction and their contact with the allergen.
  3. The pathophysical stage of the disease is a response of various tissues and internal organs to previously released mediators. It is after an increase in the concentration of mediators in the blood that the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease is observed.

During the course of the disease, a person experiences itching, which can intensify. Due to the constant desire to scratch the areas covered with a rash, small wounds may form on the surface of the skin. What to do if it itches a lot? Everything is simple and complicated at the same time. Try not to scratch.

endure. Yes, it's difficult, but necessary. You can be very careful, but if you comb the wounds, it will only get much worse and can lead to complications, which we are talking about at the end of the article.


To distinguish urticaria from rubella, you need to know that the following symptoms are characteristic of the second case:

  • Feeling worse a few days before the rash appears;
  • Headache;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Malaise;
  • Runny nose;
  • The surface of the pharynx acquires a reddish tint;
  • A couple of days before the rash, the body temperature rises to 38.5-39 degrees;
  • The posterior cervical, occipital and behind the ear lymph nodes increase, and their soreness also increases;
  • Rashes of oval or round shape and with a diameter of 2 to 5 mm have a light pink color;
  • The rash is small-spotted and does not merge into one spot;
  • There are no elevations above the skin;
  • A thickening of the rash is characteristic of the back, extensor parts and, and buttocks;
  • Disappears in 1-3 days.

In some people, rubella is also accompanied by the appearance of asthenovegetative syndrome. and quite strong aches in the joints and various muscles.

Often, according to the primary symptoms, urticaria can be confused with a common allergy. However, with a simple allergic reaction, the rash usually covers the neck, upper and lower extremities, which very rarely occurs with the development of urticaria, which differs in manifestation mainly on the trunk.

Photo of urticaria on the body

Let's see how urticaria looks like in adults in the photo pictures:







When to see a doctor? Diagnostics

If the first symptoms of urticaria appear, you should immediately seek help from a specialist such as an allergist-immunologist.

Only he can confirm the diagnosis, because the symptoms can be triggered by various factors, and therefore patients with suspected urticaria need to undergo many tests in order to determine the exact cause and prescribe the correct and effective treatment.

Standard examination plan:

One of the important components of the treatment course for urticaria is a special lifestyle and mandatory compliance. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the fact that with this disease it is forbidden to take most of the drugs that are often prescribed for the treatment of diseases associated with urticaria. Read more about what to do.

Prohibited drugs include: codeine, aspirin and any of its derivatives, as well as all kinds of ACE inhibitors. Therefore, it is necessary to warn the attending physician that the patient suffers from urticaria.

As a rule, an allergist prescribes antihistamine medications to treat this disease. It is recommended to take the following medicines: Zirtek, Telfast, Erius and other third-generation drugs. In some cases, the course of treatment takes at least three months. Don't forget about .

Diet


You need to adhere to the principles of a hypoallergenic diet. That's why it is forbidden:

  • Fish;
  • Milk;
  • Citrus;
  • Nuts;
  • Coffee;
  • Chocolate;
  • Sauces;
  • soda;
  • Sausages;
  • eggplant;
  • tomatoes;
  • Strawberry;
  • Strawberry;
  • A pineapple;
  • Watermelon;

Allowed:

  • Beef;
  • Dairy products;
  • sunflower and olive oil;
  • Compote of apples and dried fruits;
  • Porridge;
  • Fruit;
  • Vegetables;
  • Greens;
  • Sugar;
  • Bread.

Enema for hives


Within three days you need to do a cleansing enema. To do this, you should prepare Esmarch's mug, the position of which will have to be adjusted all the time if necessary. Pure water is poured into it, heated to a temperature of about 400C. To achieve maximum emptying, three teaspoons of rock salt are added to the water.

If desired, it can be replaced with a few tablespoons of glycerin. Some people use herbal decoctions that have an anti-inflammatory effect. The tip of Esmarch's mug is lubricated with vegetable oil or Vaseline for the purpose of softer insertion of the device into the anus.

Then air is released from the tube, and when fluid flows out of the tip, the valve must be closed. In this case, it is enough to introduce about two liters of water, keeping it in the body for about ten minutes. When repeating the procedure, you should wait forty minutes so that the washings of the previous enema are completely out of the body.

Does it affect the internal organs of a person - the liver, intestines?

The course of urticaria in no way affects the state and functions of various internal organs, because this disease of the skin and its pathogen does not affect the tissues of the liver and kidneys, the intestinal wall and other organs.

Consequences and complications

Urticaria is characterized by the fact that most of the people who get it are children and teenagers. The development of the disease in them is caused by the ingestion of a food allergen. But it is not always possible to determine what exactly is the causative agent of the disease.

The course of the disease should not be left to chance, because the neglect of treatment leads to the fact that the urticaria turns into an acute form, which worsens from time to time, and relapses can be repeated throughout life. Read about the dangers.

During the period of exacerbation, patients complain of severe itching, which brings real torment, as well as scratching the skin until open wounds form on its surface, through which the infection can penetrate.

Do they take people with hives into the army?

If the history of a young man indicates that he suffers from chronic urticaria, the duration of which is more than six months, then he does not fall under the draft. In this case, it does not matter what caused the development of the disease.

Urticaria only seems to be a completely harmless disease, but in fact this disease can last a lifetime, bringing a lot of trouble: the body looks ugly due to rashes and combed wounds, constant unbearable itching, and a fairly high risk of contracting other infections.